CD Projekt could release The Witcher 3's popular card game Gwent as a standalone spinoff

Players exploring the beautiful, massive open world of CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt have probably stumbled upon and played Gwent - the simple yet addictive card game within the game itself. Now it seems like the popular mini-game could be getting a standalone release, according to a recent European Union trademark filing first spotted by Nerd Leaks.

The developer has filed a trademark with the European Union Intellectual Property Office on 6 June in Polish for Gwent The Witcher Card Game. Classified as a video game, card game and an online gaming service, the filing includes a logo and covers other broader classifications as well including jewellery, stationery, figurines, clothing, leather goods and other knickknacks.

However, the document does not state if the filing will extend to a physical card game as well.

Similar to Hearthstone and other competitive digital card games, Gwent features a pre-built deck and allows you to collect cards and stack your deck before facing off against other players in a best-of-three match. To win, you must rack up more points than your opponent in each round.

Last month, the company's annual report mentioned "a new type of video game format previously unexplored by the studio" under plans for 2016.

Earlier in May, game director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz said that their Blood and Wine expansion for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is the last piece of post-release content for the sprawling RPG.

Since the company has also reiterated that they do not have another Witcher release in development nor do they plan to release one anytime soon, it is possible that the reported Gwent game could be the new format they are referring to.

In an interview with Eurogamer, Iwinski said Cyberpunk 2077 will not be making an appearance at the upcoming E3 gaming trade show. When asked if the teased video game format will be revealed at the event, Iwinski said: "We will see." When he was asked if it was related to The Witcher series in any way, he cryptically responded: "Time will tell."